UPDATE 5-Boeing machinists to strike, as contract talks fail

NEW YORK/EVERETT, Washington, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Boeing
Co's (BA.N: Cotización) 27,000-strong machinists' union declared it will
strike at midnight Pacific time on Friday, as the plane maker
failed to improve its contract offer after two days of
emergency talks.

"Despite meeting late into the night and throughout the
day, continued contract talks with the Boeing Company did not
address our issues," Tom Wroblewski, the IAM's Seattle-area
president, said in a letter to members. "The strike is on."

The vast majority of the International Association of
Machinists and Aerospace Workers' (IAM) members voted to reject
Boeing's "best and final" offer on Wednesday, but postponed a
strike for 48 hours to give negotiators more time.

Boeing and IAM teams, along with federal mediators, were
meeting at Walt Disney Co's (DIS.N: Cotización) Coronado Springs resort
near Orlando, Florida, where the IAM is set to have its
convention, held every four years, starting on Sunday.

"Over the past two days, Boeing, the union and the federal
mediator worked hard in pursuing ... options that could lead to
an agreement. Unfortunately the differences were too great to
close," said Scott Carson, the head of Boeing's commercial
plane unit, in a statement.

No further talks are scheduled. Both sides said they were
waiting for the other to make the first move. Boeing spokesman
Tim Healy said the company was "open" to hearing from the IAM.

"If this company wants to talk, they have my number, they
can reach me on the picket line," the IAM's Wroblewski in a
message to union members.
Continuación...